Ignite '25

Wednesday May 21, 2025

6:00 pm Cocktail Dinatoire

at La Nesra

Our Annual Fundraiser

Grief can feel isolating, but at Myra’s Kids Foundation, we believe in the power of connection, remembrance, and support. At our annual summer retreat, children take part in a deeply moving tradition - the Luminary Ceremony. One by one, each camper steps forward to share words in memory of their loved one, placing a glowing lantern on a floating dock. As the lanterns drift into the water, their soft flicker serves as a profound symbol: a light that never truly fades, a reminder that love endures, and a reflection of the shared journey of grief.

This is why we call our annual fundraiser IGNITE; because light is more than a symbol; it’s a source of strength. IGNITE is about sparking memories, illuminating hope, and ensuring that no grieving child walks alone. It’s a night dedicated to raising vital funds so that we can continue offering children the space, support, and community they need to heal.

A special highlight of IGNITE is the HUG (Helping Us Grieve) Award, which honours an individual who has made an extraordinary impact on Myra’s Kids Foundation. This award recognizes someone whose dedication has provided grieving children with the care, resources, and compassion they deserve.

In 2025, we are proud to present the HUG Award to Ann Zilberbrant, whose unwavering commitment has been instrumental in supporting bereaved children. Her kindness and dedication remind us all of the profound difference one person can make in the life of a grieving child.

Join us for an evening that IGNITES hope, celebrates resilience, and honours the power of remembrance.

Together, we can ensure that every child facing loss finds the support they need to heal.

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2025 HUG Award Recipient

Ann Zilberbrant

When life tests us with unimaginable challenges, it often reveals the remarkable strength we carry inside. For over 20 years, Ann Zilberbrant has channeled that strength into uplifting the Montreal community. She devotes her time to helping; professionally as a full-time Occupational Therapist, co-owner of AccessAbilities Therapy Clinic, and a lecturer at CÉGEP and McGill University. Ann also finds time to volunteer with various organizations within the community.

Yet for Ann, her most cherished role has always been being a mom to three wonderful children—Haylie, Tyler, and Allysen. Ann is also a warrior; in 2018, she lost her husband, Lyle, to colon cancer at just 40 years old, Ann faced grief head-on, determined to support her children through every twist and turn of their healing journey. That same courage led her to reach out to other widows and widowers, reminding them they aren’t alone in their journey.

For the past five years, Ann and her children have been part of Myra’s Kids Foundation, where she’s become a devoted parent ambassador and all three kids have benefited from the amazing support of this organization. By sharing her story at various conferences on grief and loss, Ann has provided hope, insight, and comfort to countless families grappling with the heartache of saying goodbye to a loved one.

We’re honored to present the 2025 HUG Award to Ann in recognition of her inspiring dedication, gentle empathy, and unwavering support for grieving families. Through her example, we see how heartbreak can give rise to hope—and how, together, we can find the courage to move forward, one step at a time.

2025 Committee

Elayne Baron, Casey Cooper, Rhea Dichter, Ashley Frankel, Gwenn Garonce, Jessica Gottlieb, Jaimee Kravitz, Joanne Marco, Gayle Munk, Janet Phiri, Stu Reider, Ellen Reider, Hallie Sheftman, Sari Shapiro, Leslie Spector, Meghan Weinstein, Julie Wiener, Roslyn Wiener & Ann Zilberbrant

Ignite ‘24

2024 HUG Award Recipient

Roz Wiener has been a dedicated volunteer in the Montreal Community for over 40 years. In her professional life, she was the first Executive Director of the Starlight Foundation Canada and following that became Executive Director of Technion-Israel Institute of Technology. Over the past 16 years, in her retirement, she became an active member of the Cummings Jewish Centre for Seniors where she proudly served as President of the Centre and then followed that by serving as Co-President of the Cummings Centre Foundation.

Roz has been a supporter of Myra’s Kids Foundation since its inception and a Board member for the past 8 years. She has helped to ensure that children grieving the loss of a family member received the support they needed, however possible. The 2024 HUG Award will be presented to Roz in recognition of her incredible dedication, heartfelt compassion and unwavering support for grieving children.

Ignite ‘23

2023 HUG Award Recipient

Dr. Mike (as he is known to all at Myra’s Kids) is a renowned Rheumatologist and incredibly caring and devoted individual. Dr. Mike has been a part of Myra’s Kids since our founding 7 years ago. He is a member of our Board of Directors, our resident expert on all things medical and most importantly, he initiated our “Ask the Doctor” session for our campers at our summer weekend retreat. Myra’s Kids was extremely honoured to present the 2023 HUG Award to Dr. Michael Starr.